The fleet sails into Galway

24th May 2009

Green Dragon had a remarkable finish, arriving into a tremendous welcome of thousands of people even at 3.45 this morning. In a reversal of fortunes for the boat that finished last in the last leg, the downwind conditions gave her a chance against the faster boats.Puma came second beating Green Dragon by a mere 3 miles, and Ericsson 4 came first (as usual). Ger O'Rourke's Delta Lloyd came fifth. The boats arrival into Galway marks the end of the Oceanic legs of the race. The boats have now completed 35,000 miles.

In spite of the early hour, it has already been hailed as one of the best welcomes of any stopover in the race so far (see Oscar's Kihlborg's photo below). Fireworks exploding, music, fanfare, and the crowds which had been growing since Ericsson 4 arrived almost an hour and a half earlier. The newly transformed dock area of Galway is scarcely recognisable. The tanks are gone replaced by acres of race village which wraps around the dock area, the Volvo Ocean Race boats lie proudly in their berths opposite the new marina.

And the party has only just begun, for the next two weeks, Galway will host the Volvo Ocean for the next two weeks, with festival, music, art, and fine food.

The inport race next Saturday 30 th May and Pro Am Race on 31 May.

The race departs Galway for Gothenburg on Sat 5 June.

Thanks to Airman Dermot Molloy of 105 Sqn/Irish Air Corps for sending us the photo below of Telefonica Black, taken at 1209 Local, 52. 50. N 018. 47. W, 090/24kts, 320 Miles from Galway, giving a clear idea of the tough conditions.

Are you in Galway for the celebrations? Give Afloat.ie readers your impressions on the first ever Irish stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. You can comment below or log on to the afloat.ie forum and post your photos and video too.

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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